Flotation device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a flotation device which can be brought into use during an emergency to assist somebody to stay afloat in water. A flotation device can be carried by a person undertaking water sports. It includes a carrier carrying a float, and the float itself. The carrier is in the form or a pouch or holder which can be attached to the arm or leg of the swimmer. The float is normally in a deflated, non-buoyant state held by the carrier. When the swimmer wishes to bring the float into use, he pulls it out of the carrier and inflates it.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a flotation device and inparticular to a device that can be readily inflated by a user in anemergency.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Flotation devices are often used to improve the buoyancy ofpersons that engage in activities that might result in that personinadvertently entering the water. For example, buoyancy vests are oftenworn by sailors while sailing so as to ensure that they have sufficientbuoyancy should they inadvertently find themselves in the water. Devicessuch as life rings are also a common sight on larger vessels and areadapted to be thrown to persons in the water to provide that person withsufficient buoyancy.

[0003] Despite the availability of buoyancy vests, drowning rates forpersons engaged in water activities are still unacceptably high. Mostinstances of drowning occur when the person was not wearing a buoyancyvest. This is unsurprising as for many water activities, the wearing ofany buoyancy device is too great an inconvenience to the wearer. Forexample, for a person wishing to bodysurf in a shorebreak, the wearingof a buoyancy vest is unacceptable.

[0004] Other buoyancy aids are available. These include aids to assist aperson who is not a competent swimmer or who is learning to swim. Suchaids include inflatable arm bands. Again, such aids can be an impedimentto the enjoyment of water activities and are generally spurned bycompetent swimmers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention providesa flotation device, comprising a flotation means and a carrier memberfor the flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the bodyof the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in anon-buoyant state, the flotation means being transferable to a buoyantstate when required.

[0006] Preferably, the carrier member and flotation means are separatebodies. In the preferred embodiment the carrier member is a pouch orholder and the flotation means is an inflatable body.

[0007] Preferably, the pouch is made out of soft, flexible material andincludes walls forming a receptacle for receiving the flotation means inits non-buoyant state. The pouch includes a flap having a fasteningmeans enabling it to close and open the pouch. The fact that the pouchis soft and flexible renders it easy and comfortable for a user to wear.

[0008] The present invention preferably provides a device that can beworn by users engaged in water sports where the wearing of a normalbuoyancy vest is not possible or undesirable, and which can be broughtinto use only when required by its wearer. In particular, the device ispreferably intended for use by a person involved in water sports wherethe water sport requires that the person gets in to the water in thenormal course of the sport eg. swimming, surfing.

[0009] Preferably, the flotation device is relatively unobtrusive whenthe flotation means is in the non-buoyant state. The flotation device ispreferably small enough to be attached to and carried by a single limbof the user. The user can therefore preferably swim, at least when theflotation means is in the non-buoyant state, with relatively littleobstruction.

[0010] The carrier member preferably includes attachment means arrangedto attach the flotation device to an arm (upper arm, wrist or forearm)or leg of the user. The attachment means may attach to a swimmingcostume of the user e.g. swimming trunks. Alternatively, the attachmentmeans may be arranged to attach the device to the waist of the user.

[0011] Preferably, a connecting means is provided to connect the carriermember to the flotation means, preferably even when the flotation meansis in the buoyant state and is in use.

[0012] Preferably, the flotation means is arranged so that it can bereusable. In a preferred embodiment, the users themselves can inflatethe flotation means (e.g. by filling it with air by blowing via a valve)and can deflate the flotation means (via the valve) and return it to thecarrier member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the flotation means comprises a resilientlyflexible chamber fillable with a fluid of lower density than water. In apreferred embodiment, the chamber is air-tight and can be filled withair to so bring it to its buoyant state when required. The chamber canbe formed from a polymeric or elastomeric material. The chamber ispreferably expandable to a size such that it provides sufficientbuoyancy to support an average size adult on the surface of the water.It will be appreciated that different chamber sizes could be utilised inthe device depending on the size of the person to be supported by thedevice. For example, if the device is adapted to be used by a child, thechamber could be smaller than that used in a device adapted to be usedby an adult. The air can be provided by a user providing a supply of airat an appropriate pressure to a valve mounted in a wall of the chamber.The user might provide the supply of air by blowing through the valveinto the chamber. The valve can be one-way valve that in normal useprevents escape of air from within the chamber.

[0014] In another embodiment, the device can include a chamber fillingmeans. The chamber filling means can comprise a gas supply means mountedwith respect to the chamber. The gas supply means can include a tank ofcompressed gas having a regulator. On activation of the gas supplymeans, an appropriate amount of gas can be bled from the tank by theregulator into the chamber. Activation can be controlled by anactivation means mounted within or outside the chamber.

[0015] The chamber, when not in use, is stored in the device in acollapsed state. The chamber in one embodiment can have a plurality offolds to allow the chamber to be collapsed and so occupy a minimumpossible volume. In one embodiment, the chamber can have a plurality ofparallel folds so allowing the chamber to concertina when changing fromits collapsed state to its expanded buoyant state and vice versa.

[0016] The carrier member can be mounted to the waist of a user. Inanother embodiment, the carrier member can be mountable to a limb of auser, such as a leg or arm. The attachment means can comprise tworesiliently flexible flaps adapted to each at least partially surroundthe limb, with one flap having an engagement means able to engage with acomplementary engagement means on the other flap. In one embodiment, theengagement means can comprise a tape having a plurality of small hookswhile the complementary engagement means comprise a tape having a fibrepile that is engagable by the hooks.. An example of such an engagementmeans is commonly referred to as “velcro” and will be referred to bythis name hereafter. The flaps may also include a buckle to providefirmer holding.

[0017] When in a collapsed state and not in use, in one embodiment theflotation means is preferably held in place on the carrier member by aholding means. The holding means can comprise a flap that is movableabout a hinge between an open and a closed position. In its closedposition, the flap can at least partially surround the flotation means.Once the flap is brought to its open position, the flotation means canpreferably be readily pulled away from the attachment member. Theholding means preferably has a velcro layer that complements a velcrolayer on the carrier member so ensuring that the flap is held firmlywhen in its closed position. Where the device incorporates the holdingmeans and a gas supply means, the gas supply means can be activatedsimply by movement of the flap to its open position.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the carrier member includes a pouchwithin which the flotation means can be retained in its non-buoyantstate. Where the flotation means comprises a resiliently flexiblechamber, it may be folded, in its non-buoyant state, and inserted intothe pouch. Preferably the pouch includes drainage means to allow waterentering the pouch to drain out. Preferably, a tag is provided whichextends outwardly of the pouch which can be manipulated by a user toremove the flotation means from the pouch in the event of use beingrequired. Preferably, the pouch has a flap which covers the pouchopening.

[0019] Preferably, the tag is attached to the flotation means so thatwhen the tag is pulled the flotation means is pulled out of the carriermember.

[0020] Where there is a connecting means, the connecting means cancomprise a cord formed of a suitable material, such as a fibre, apolymeric material, or an elastomeric material. The cord is preferablypermanently mounted at one end to one end of the flotation means and atits other end to the carrier member. The cord is preferably of asufficient length such that when the device is in use, the flotationmeans can float on the surface of the water, despite the attachmentmember being mounted to the arm or the leg of a user.

[0021] The flotation means, when inflated, is preferably substantiallycylindrical in shape and can be held between the chest and under arms ofa user in order to assist buoyancy..

[0022] Preferably, the flotation means is also provided with an alarmdevice, which enables the user to give an alarm. In a preferredembodiment, the alarm is a whistle.

[0023] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,there is provided a flotation means being arranged to be retained in anon-buoyant state in a carrier member, the carrier member beingattachable to the body of the wearer, and the flotation means beingtransferable to a buoyant state when required.

[0024] Preferably, the carrier member may have any or all of thefeatures of the carrier member referred to above in relation to thefirst aspect of the invention.

[0025] Preferably, the flotation means may have any or all of thefeatures of the flotation means referred to above in relation to thefirst aspect of the invention.

[0026] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a carrier member for a flotation means, the carrier memberbeing attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retainthe flotation means in a non-buoyant state, wherein the flotation meansis transferable to a buoyant state when required.

[0027] The carrier member may have any or all of the features of thecarrier member referred to above in relation to the first aspect of thepresent invention.

[0028] The flotation means may have any or all of the features of theflotation means referred to above in relation to the first aspect of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a flotation device in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention being brought into use by a wearer;

[0031]FIG. 2 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 depicted in closedconfiguration;

[0032]FIG. 3 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 depicted in openconfiguration;

[0033]FIG. 4 depicts the device of FIG. 1 from the back, when being wornon the arm of a user;

[0034]FIG. 5 illustrates a flotation device in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention being worn on the arm ofa user;

[0035]FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 5 being worn on the leg of a user;

[0036]FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the flotation device of FIG. 5 invarious stages as it is brought into use by a user;

[0037]FIG. 11 is an illustration showing in more detail the arrangementof the tab in relation to the flotation device, and

[0038]FIG. 12 is a front view of the device of FIG. 5 illustratingdrainage holes in the carrier member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] One embodiment of a device according to the present invention isgenerally depicted as 10 in FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 1 the device ismounted to the arm 12 of a user 13.

[0040] The flotation device 10 incorporates a flotation chamber 14connected by a length of resiliently flexible cord 15 to carrier member16. The chamber 14 is formed from an air-tight material and can befilled with air to so bring it from its collapsed state to its buoyantstate when required. In the depicted embodiment, the chamber 14 has aone-way valve 17 that allows the user 13 to blow air into the chamber 14and so bring it to its buoyant state but prevents air escaping from thechamber 14.

[0041] While not depicted, it will be appreciated that in anotherembodiment, the device could include a chamber filling device that fillsthe chamber with gas when desired. In this embodiment, the chamberfilling device could include a gas supply means having a tank ofcompressed gas (e.g. compressed air) and a regulator. On activation ofthe gas supply means, an appropriate amount of gas would be bled fromthe tank by the regulator into the chamber 14. Activation of the fillingdevice might comprise a switch mounted on the device or may occurautomatically on withdrawal of the chamber 14 from its storage in theattachment member 16.

[0042] The chamber 14, when not in use, is stored in the device in acollapsed state as is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The chamber 14 in thedepicted embodiment has a plurality of parallel folds 18 that allow thechamber 14 to be collapsed in a concertina fashion and so occupy aminimum possible volume when not in use (see FIG. 3).

[0043] While the carrier member 16 is shown mounted to an arm 12 in thedrawings, it can be mounted to the waist, arm or leg of a user, ifdesired. The member 16 has two resiliently flexible flaps 19, 21 adaptedto each at least partially surround the arm 12. Each flap 19, 21 has astrip of velcro 22 that allows the flaps to be releasably engagedtogether about the arm 12. A buckle attachment (not shown) may also beincluded.

[0044] When in a collapsed state and not in use, the chamber 14 is heldin place on the carrier member 16 by a flap 23. The flap 23 is movableabout a hinge 24 between a closed position (as depicted in FIG. 2) andan open position (as depicted in FIG. 3). In the closed position, theflap 23 surrounds the chamber 14 and the cord 15. Once the flap 23 isbrought to its open position, the chamber 14 can be readily pulled awayfrom the carrier member 16. The flap 23 has a velcro layer 25 that canengage a complementary velcro layer 25 on the carrier member 16 soensuring that the flap 23 is held firmly when in its closed position.

[0045] The cord 15 is preferably permanently mounted at one end to oneend 26 of the flotation chamber 14 and at its other end to the carriermember 16 being mounted to the arm 12 of the user 13.

[0046] The device 10 can be worn by users engaged in water sports wherethe wearing of a normal buoyancy vest is not possible or undesirable,such as sports where the user, in the normal course of the sport, isimmersed in water, such as swimming, surfing and similar sports. Bybeing mounted to the arm or leg, the device 10 is of a sufficientlysmall size to allow users to engage in all water activities almostwithout impediment. The device 10 does, however, provide a level ofsafety to the user should that person unexpectedly get into difficultiesin the water.

[0047] In normal use, the user 13 would ensure that the chamber 14 andcord 15 are appropriately stored beneath the flap 23. The user 13 wouldthen mount the device to their arm 10 by wrapping the flaps 19, 21 abouttheir wrist and engaging in the complementary velcro layers 22 together.The user 13 can then enter the water. If they get into difficulty, theuser 13 simply has to lift the flap 23 and withdraw the chamber 14. Thechamber 14 can then quickly be filled with air by the user 13 blowingthrough the one-way valve 17. The chamber 14 once filled with sufficientair to support the user 13 can then be allowed to float in the water andheld by the user 13 until help arrives or the user 13 manages to reachsafety. Alternatively to the user having to fill the chamber with airthemselves, a compressed air canister arrangement may be utilised toautomatically expand the chamber 14 on release from the carrier member16 (as discussed above).

[0048] Once the user is safe, the device 10 is removed from the arm 12and, if necessary, the chamber 14 can be deflated and re-stored underflap 23.

[0049] In another example of its use, the device 10 can in its closedstate be readily carried by a person (e.g. a lifeguard) swimming to theaid of another in difficulty. Once the lifeguard reaches the person indifficulty, the device can be mounted to that person's wrist or leg andthe chamber 14 inflated. The lifeguard can then readily tow or swim theperson to safety.

[0050] Another embodiment of a flotation device in accordance with thepresent invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5through 10.

[0051] The flotation device 30 of this embodiment comprises a carriermember 31 including a pouch 32 which is arranged to retain the flotationchamber 33 (FIGS. 8 through 10) when the flotation chamber 33 is in thenon-buoyant state.

[0052] The pouch 32 can provide a more secure housing for the flotationchamber 33 when it is not in use.

[0053] The carrier member 30 also comprises a flap 34 for covering thepouch 32 opening 35 when the flotation chamber 33 is in the collapsedstate. A portion of the walls of the pouch 36 includes a plurality ofdrainage holes 60 (FIG. 12) to allow water that enters the pouch 32 todrain out. The drainage may be provided by a portion of the walls of thepouch being in the form of a mesh to allow water to drain out. Forexample, the base portion of the carrier member 30 may be of mesh (asillustrated in FIG. 12).

[0054] The carrier member 31 includes attachment means, in thisembodiment being two resiliently flexible flaps 37, 38 arranged to atleast partially surround the arm or leg of a user, with velcro on theflaps 37, 38 to retain the carrier member 31 in position. A bucklearrangement may also be included. An arrangement may also be included toallow the straps to be adjustable for different arm sizes.

[0055] The flotation chamber 33 includes a rip tag 41 which enables itto be easily pulled out of the pouch 32. In operation, as illustrated inthe sequence in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the user first of all pulls on therip tag 41 pulling the flotation chamber 33 out of the pouch 32. Theflotation chamber 33 is provided with a one-way valve 40 to enable auser to blow into the chamber 33 and inflate it (FIG. 9). The cord 42acts as a connection means connecting the flotation chamber to thecarrier member 30. At the connection with the carrier member 30 the cord42 is preferably sewn in the seam of the carrier member 30 in order tosecure it.

[0056] When fully inflated, the flotation chamber 33 can be placedbetween the under arms and chest of a user as illustrated in FIG. 10 tohelp maintain buoyancy. A whistle 45 is provided to enable the user tosound an alarm.

[0057] When the flotation chamber 33 is no longer required it can bedeflated, folded in place back into the pouch 32. Know that thisconstruction facilitates ease of maintenance and handling of thearrangement. The flotation chamber 33 can at any time be unpacked by theuser, washed, and replaced back in to the pouch without requiring anyinvolvement by a product supplier.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 11, the rip tag 41 is shown in more detail. Thevelcro patch 61 is included on the rip tag to ensure that the positionof the rip tag remains static on the carrier member. In FIG. 11 the riptag is shown with a loop 62 to enable it to be easily grasped by afinger and pulled. The rip tag is attached to the flotation device 33.

[0059] As an alternative to inflating by blowing through the valve, theflotation chamber may be provided with a gas cylinder for automaticinflation, as discussed above in relation to the first embodiment.

[0060] Note that the carrier means 30 is preferably made from neoprene.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the flotation means is shown as acylindrical chamber. It need not be a cylindrical chamber, but could beany shape.

[0062] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A flotation device, comprising a flotation means and a carrier memberfor the flotation means, the carrier member being attachable to the bodyof the wearer and being arranged to retain the flotation means in anon-buoyant state, the flotation means being transferable to a buoyantstate when required.
 2. A flotation device in accordance with claim 1, aflotation being device being small enough to be attached to and carriedby a single limb of the user when the flotation means is in thenon-buoyant state.
 3. A flotation device in accordance with claim 2,wherein the carrier member includes an attachment means arranged toattach the flotation device to an arm or leg of the user.
 4. A flotationdevice in accordance with claim 2, the carrier member includingattachment means arranged to enable attachment of the device to thewaist of a user.
 5. A flotation device in accordance with any one of thepreceding claims, further including a connecting means arranged toconnect the carrier member to the flotation means, when the flotationmeans is in the buoyant state.
 6. A flotation device in accordance withany one of the preceding claims, the flotation means comprising aresiliently flexible chamber fillable with a fluid of lower density thanwater.
 7. A flotation device in accordance with claim 6, the flexiblechamber including a valve enabling a user to inject fluid into thechamber.
 8. A flotation device in accordance with claim 6, the chamberfilling means in the form of a gas supply means being provided toautomatically fill the chamber with fluid on operation.
 9. A flotationmeans arranged to be retained in a non-buoyant state in a carriermember, the carrier member being attachable to the body of the wearer,and the flotation means being transferable to a buoyant state whenrequired.
 10. A carrier member for a flotation means, the carrier memberbeing attachable to the body of the wearer and being arranged to retainthe flotation means in a non-buoyant state, wherein the flotation meansis transferable to a buoyant state when required.
 11. A flotation devicein accordance with claim 1, wherein the carrier member is made from softmaterial.
 12. A flotation device in accordance with claim 11, whereinthe carrier member includes drainage holes to enable water to drain out.13. A flotation device in accordance with claim 1, including an alarmdevice enabling a user to raise an alarm.
 14. A flotation device inaccordance with claim 13, wherein the alarm is a whistle.
 15. Aflotation device in accordance with claim 1, including a tag attached tothe flotation means and gripable by a user to pull the flotation meansfrom the carrier member.
 16. A flotation device in accordance with claim15, wherein fixing means are provided on the tag to fix the tag inposition when it is not in use.
 17. A flotation device in accordancewith claim 16, wherein the fixing means are velcro.
 18. A flotationdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flotation means isreusable and can be transferred back to its non-buoyant state after use.19. A flotation device in accordance with claim 18, where the flotationmeans is arranged to be inflatable by the user via an air valve.